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Artificial Intelligence, MSc

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Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) forms part of many digital systems. No longer is AI seen as a special feature within software, but as an important development expected in modern systems. From word-processing applications to gaming, and from robots to the Internet of Things, AI tends to be responsible for controlling the underlying behaviour of systems. Such trends are forecast to grow further.

This programme is studied on campus.

Cloud-based neural networks will power 40% of mobile interactions between virtual personal assistants and people by 2020.

It is estimated that 85% of all customer interactions won't require human customer service reps by the end of this decade.

Such is the importance of AI, that the field is estimated to grow beyond £4 billion by 2020.

AI has entered an exciting new phase, in which problems once thought too complex for computers to solve are now tackled with considerable success. Examples of such problems are autonomous vehicles, translation of text, speech and photo recognition, and playing games. In studies, this has led to 80% of executives reporting that AI boosts worker performance and creates new jobs.

This MSc programme provides students with in-depth knowledge of recent advances in AI such as data and text mining, efficient reasoning, natural language generation, information visualisation and communication, and distributed AI systems. The programme is centred on practical “hands-on” learning, exploring underpinning theories in combination with the use of techniques, tools, software and methodologies with the opportunities, where possible, to work with international experts and companies at the cutting edge of the field.

Key Programme Information

At a Glance

Learning Mode

On Campus Learning

Degree Qualification

MSc

Duration

12 months

Study Mode

Full Time

Start Month

September

Related Information

What You'll Study

Semester 1

Compulsory Courses

Foundations in AI – Presents the fundamental techniques of Artificial Intelligence, used in system such as Google Maps, Siri, IBM Watson, as well as industrial automation systems, and which are core to emerging products such as self-driving vehicles.

Machine Learning – Presents the fundamental as well as the most popular Machine Learning theories and algorithms, used in a wide range of applications such as face detection, anomaly detection, and which are core to the design of for instance computer Go player AlphaGo.

Evaluation of AI Systems – Knowledge of evaluation concepts, tools, techniques and technologies used to determine the effectiveness of AI systems across multidisciplinary applications developed for both controlled and real world environments.

This course presents the fundamental techniques of Artificial Intelligence, used in system such as Google Maps, Siri, IBM Watson, as well as industrial automation systems, and which are core to emerging products such as self-driving vehicles. This course will equip the student to understand how such AI technologies operate, their implementation details, and how to use them effectively. This course therefore provides the building blocks necessary for understanding and using AI techniques and methodologies.

Artificial intelligence has helped solve complex practical problems such as driving a car, translating text from/to different languages, understanding and answering questions, and playing games such as chess and Go. This course will provide students of our MSc in AI with skills to help them engineer AI systems, equiping them with solid programming skills, and using state-of-the-practice languages, tools and technologies.

This course presents the fundamental as well as the most popular Machine Learning theories and algorithms, used in a wide range of applications such as face detection, anomaly detection, and which are core to the design of for instance computer Go player AlphaGo. This course provides the building blocks for understanding and using Machine Learning techniques and methodologies and prepares students to work in data science and general AI systems.

Artificial intelligence has helped solve complex practical problems such as driving a car, translating text from/to different languages, understanding and answering questions, and playing games such as chess and Go. This course will provide students of our MSc in AI with knowledge of core evaluation concepts, approaches, tools, techniques and technologies.

Semester 2

In the second half-session, students develop advanced knowledge and skills in AI in order to prepare them for working with clients over the summer. This session also helps them to decide which areas of AI they wish to explore during their summer project whilst raising awareness of career opportunities in the area.

Compulsory Courses

Data Mining and Visualisation – Artificial intelligence has helped solve complex practical problems such as driving a car, translating text from/to different languages, understanding and answering questions, and playing games such as chess and Go.

Natural Language Generation - Presents the knowledge and skills for modelling human language production with an emphasis of advanced NLG concepts, tools, techniques and technologies pioneered by ARRIA Data2Text. Particular attention is paid to the link between NLG and data science.

Software Agents and Multi-Agent Systems – Provides the student with a solid grounding in the theory and tools which underpin such systems, teaching them both how to develop such systems, and use them effectively as part of a larger product.

Knowledge Representation and Reasoning – This course presents the underlying features of many AI systems concerning how knowledge is represented and the mechanisms to reason with and about this knowledge.

Artificial intelligence has helped solve complex practical problems such as driving a car, translating text from/to different languages, understanding and answering questions, and playing games such as chess and Go. This course will provide students of our MSc in AI with knowledge of core data mining and visualisation approaches, tools, techniques and technologies.

Artificial intelligence has helped solve complex practical problems such as driving a car, translating text from/to different languages, understanding and answering questions, and playing games such as chess and Go. This course will provide students of our MSc in AI with knowledge of core natural language generation concepts, approaches, tools, techniques and technologies.

Recent advances in AI have changed the perception of what machines can do, from on-line search to answering questions. An underlying feature of many AI systems concern how knowledge is acquired, represented, and reasoned with. Companies such as Google, IBM, and Facebook have been developing sophisticated tools for knowledge representation and reasoning. This module provides the theory and practice of knowledge representation and reasoning, also presenting cutting-edge technologies, libraries and tools. At the end of the course students will be able to design, implement and evaluate knowledge-intensive AI systems.

The global autonomous systems market is expected to be valued at over £13 billion by 2025, involving both software systems and robots. Such autonomous systems act to achieve goals with no human intervention, and are already found in Tesla's self-driving cars, NASA space probes and systems such as Amazon's Echo. This course provides the student with a solid grounding in the theory and tools which underpin such systems, teaching them both how to develop such systems, and use them effectively as part of a larger product.

Semester 3

Compulsory Courses

The individual AI research projects, supervised by a member of academic staff, involves, for instance, the implementation and evaluation of novel solutions, exploring existing solutions for new problems, or developing new theories, methodologies and tools. Students will exercise their creativity, problem-solving and communication skills, as well as broaden, deepen and consolidate knowledge obtained in other components of the degree. Where possible, opportunities are made available to work with real industrial clients and international cutting-edge organisations, such as ARRIA Ltd.

Artificial intelligence has helped solve complex practical problems such as driving a car, translating text from/to different languages, understanding and answering questions, and playing games such as chess and Go. This course will provide students of our MSc in AI programme with the opportunity to develop their own AI research project, under the supervision of a member of staff. Typical projects include extending, improving or adapting existing AI theories or techniques to solve different problems, comparing competing techniques or tools to solve a particular problem, and so on. Students will improve their problem-solving and communication skills, as well as broaden, deepen and consolidate knowledge obtained in other components of the degree.

Course Availability

We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

Group Projects

Individual Projects

Lectures

Peer Learning

Research

Tutorials

Workshops

Why Study Artificial Intelligence?

The University of Aberdeen has a strong history and worldwide reputation in computing science, in particular around Data Science, Natural Language Generation and Artificial Intelligence.

Home to the research success of ARRIA NLG, the University has been ahead of the game in computing science research and teaching for years. Find out more about this hugely successful spin-out company and how it impacts on Artifical Intelligence -

Interested in this Degree?

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a Computing Science degree at 2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours level (or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

Our Funding Database

Careers

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

Our Experts

Information About Staff Changes

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.